Norman, Okla. – The FIU Women's Soccer team will stay on the road and head up to Norman, Oklahoma to play the Sooners on their home turf as both teams enter the match 1-0-0.
Thursday, Aug. 18 at Oklahoma
FIU started off the season with a historic victory over Florida Gulf Coast University on the road, making it the first time the Panthers have won against the Eagles since the 2010 season.
FIU dominated on all fronts, holding FGCU to only five shots the entire game, with the Panthers getting off 19 shots of their own. FIU's only blemish of the game came at the 13:50 mark, when an errant pass resulted in a score for the Eagles to make the game 1-0. The Panthers did not allow any more chances after that initial goal by FGCU, letting up only three shots on goal for the rest of the contest.
The Panthers got on the board thanks to first year Antonella Solari, chipping in a goal after a perfect assist from fellow first year Rebecca Baldelomar at the 42:33 mark at the end of the first half. The goal marked the first goal of the year for the Panthers, as well as the first goal and assist in the careers of Solari and Baldelomar.
FIU kept their foot on the gas in the second half, out-shooting the Eagles 8-2 in the final 45 minutes. The exclamation mark came when senior Nikole Solis netted the game-winner with 18:53 left to play in the match. Solis had the most goals on the team and most points in CUSA last season, and started the 2024 campaign with a score.
Sophomore Valery Restrepo, playing her first game in goal for the Panthers, played great behind the stellar play of the FIU defense. Senior Reagan Bridges, who played all 90 minutes as a defender, along with 79 minutes from Farah El-Tayar, 75 minutes from Deborah Bien-Aime and 65 minutes from Delinda Sehlin, snuffed out the FGCU offensive push. The Eagles only scored one goal and got off five shots thanks to the stifling Panthers defense.
It is the second year in a row that the Panthers have started the season with a victory on the road.
SCOUTING THE SOONERS
Oklahoma ended the 2023 regular season with an 8-10-2 overall record and a conference record of 3-5-2, thus projecting to come in 13th place in their inagural season in the SEC Preseason Poll.
The Sooners started off the season with a win on the road over North Texas, 1-0. Their lone goal came in the 28th minute from junior Morganne Eikelbarner.
The sooner defense kept them in the game, allowing just six shots on the night with goalkeeper Caroline Duffy sealing the net with four saves in her Oklahoma debut.
It will be the first time in program history the Panthers face off against Oklahoma.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUWSoccer), Twitter (@FIUWSoccer), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUWSoccer) for all the latest Women's Soccer news.
General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram
